What is Obesity?

Obesity

America has become increasingly overweight. In fact, obesity affects more than 23% of adults and 20% of adolescents today. And morbid obesity plagues millions of people (5% of Americans) — men and women of all ages, races and backgrounds. If you are struggling with significant excess weight, you are not alone.

What is Obesity?

Morbid obesity is a health condition defined as being at least 100 pounds over ideal body weight.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

A formula used to determine morbid obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated by using your height and weight to determine your overall body composition.

Calculate Your BMI

Obesity is defined as a BMI between 30 and 39 where as morbid obesity is defined as BMI equal or greater than 40.

There have been many articles that support surgical intervention for patients with a BMI equal to or greater than 40 without comorbidities. Comorbidities are medical conditions that exist in addition to obesity and are often a result of being overweight (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.). This support also extends to a BMI of 35 and above if there are significant medical problems (comorbidities) related to the weight that make this a life threatening condition.

We believe it is important to have tried a supervised diet and exercise program in the past in order to qualify for consideration as a surgical candidate. We offer supervised diet and exercise for a complete lifestyle change prior to surgery in order to help you understand the changes that you will need for the rest of your life.